Bulawayo Grapples with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Outbreak

The City of Bulawayo has reported a significant outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), with over 1,058 suspected cases recorded since November 2025. This viral illness primarily affects children under the age of five, causing symptoms such as fever, painful mouth sores, and a rash on the hands and feet.

The City of Bulawayo believes that the sharing of toys may be one of the ways the disease is being transmitted. Medical samples have been collected for laboratory analysis to confirm the cause of the outbreak. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported, but HFMD remains a serious public health concern, especially for young children.

Council clinics are dealing with other common conditions, such as ringworm, but are facing challenges with medicine stock shortages. Bulawayo remains on high alert for 13 serious public health threats, including Ebola, Marburg virus, mpox, cholera, typhoid, measles, and COVID-19.

The City of Bulawayo is working to address the outbreak and prevent further spread of the disease. Efforts are being made to raise awareness about HFMD and other public health threats in the city